Kihei Akina achieved the lowest 54-hole score of his career with a 14-under par to win the R.E. Lamkin Invitational at San Diego Country Club, according to an announcement on March 10. The BYU men’s golf team finished in third place after posting its best round of the tournament with a 10-under-par in round three, ending at 17-under par overall.
The result highlights Akina’s individual performance and marks his first collegiate victory. Head coach Bruce Brockbank said, “Really quite amazing what Kihei accomplished the last six days. It’s so impressive how he played at the Lamkin. He had so many highlights this week.”
San Diego secured the team title with a total score of 26-under par, while Long Beach State finished second at 24-under par. BYU was followed by Saint Mary’s and San Diego State to complete the top five teams.
Akina began the final day five strokes behind but made six birdies and an eagle without any bogeys to secure his win. This achievement came just four days after he made his first PGA Tour cut at the Puerto Rico Open. Reflecting on his performance, Akina said, “I didn’t feel tired at all today. I felt great coming into today and knew I had to go low. I know everyone on this team has really high potential so I’m looking forward to playing our best golf as we get late in the season.”
Other notable performances for BYU included Simon Kwon tying for fourth place at eight under par and Peter Kim finishing tied for 22nd at even par, marking his seventeenth career top-25 finish. Parker Bunn posted a personal best one under par for a tie in eighteenth place as an individual competitor.
Looking ahead, BYU will compete next at the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational hosted by the GCAA in Napa Valley from March 23-24.
